Turquoise Lake Fishing in Lake County, Colorado

• Overview

  Turquoise Lake belongs to Lake County, Colorado. This is rolling bush ground. At 2.7 sq miles this is proper open water rather than a pond. The margin runs to about 10 miles in total. On our Lake County list it sits near the top for size. Some 4.4 miles away sits Leadville North, the nearest settlement. Leadville lies 5 miles off, Minturn another 22 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Turquoise Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Survey and observation records for Lake County include rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. On Turquoise Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 53°F in July and bottoms out near 16°F in January. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid May. Average temperatures cross freezing around mid May in spring and again near early November in autumn. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Turquoise Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. The closest car park is half a mile away, so pack accordingly. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. If the gate is shut, Bear Lake at 2.5 miles is the nearest alternative. Signs at Turquoise Lake carry more weight than any list.